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Caal A9elGane Drai+taee Proiee> - PaneG 76-24 Nett EJk T1rne • Pane 2 activities would occur. The Minnesota Creek Road, Dn' Fork Road, and Horse Gulch Road would I continue to remain open for public full size vehicles and ATV use. The West Flatiron Road would be reclaimed to become an ATV trail when the previously approved IvIDW operation is completed. Existing motorized trails would continue to be open for public and administrative use. Geology, Surface Water, Ground Water, and Riparian Resources -The previous]}' approved MDW project within the project area would result in surface disturbance when the existing drill pads and access roads are reclaimed. 1ltere would be 5.2 miles of temporary road decommissioned. I Approximately ]8.9 acres of current disturbance would be reclaimed. Approximately 0.2 acres of high geologic hazard area, 1.0 acres of steep slope area, and 14.2 acres of Water Influence Zone (WIZ) areas are affected by existing roads used in the previously approved project. I Wildlife -Current displacement of wildlife due to present uses would continue until the currently approved IvIDW project is completed in summer of 2002. The current Habitat Capabilit}'/Effectiveness (HABCAP) for elk is calculated at 45 percent. Expected road decommissioning would not affect HABCAP. Livestock and Grazing -Current MDW project disturbance has created an annual loss of 24 AUMs of grazing capacity. \V}ten the disturbed area is reclaimed in 2002, the areas will be seeded and revegetated. A temporary increase in available forage will result for approximately 10 to 20 }'ears until oak brush becomes reestablished in disturbed areas. Air Quality -Air impacts from currently approved MDW activity would continue until the disturbance is rehabilitated in summer 2002. When the mine closes or changes operation to care and maintenance slams present mine-related methane and particulate emissions would be substantial]}' reduced. Access and Recreation -Approximately 5? miles of existing temporary road being used for previously approved methane drainage aaivi[ies would be decommissioned in 2002. Approximate]}' 4.2 miles of this decommissioned road would become an ATV trail and l rrtile would be obliterated. ATV use on other roads and trails would continue to be permitted. Conflicts between mine traffic, public use traffic, and private landowners along the Minnesota Creek Road would end when the previously approved MDW projects ends in summer of 2002. Roadless Character -Roadless character has been compromised b}' historic road construction and use. The IRA area affected by existing road/trail disturbance is approximately 1,072 acres. In 2002, approximately 5.2 miles of existing roads in the portion of the project area within the IRA would be decommissioned, reducing the affected area to 0 acres. Within 70 to 20 years, the oakbrush would be reestablished and roadless character would be restored to its previously compromised condition. Socioeconomics -Inadequate methane drainage would affect mine production rates and economic feasibility. If the mine closes, approximately 6 to 7 million tons of coal per year would not be developed or produced, approximately 375 full rime and contract employees would be laid-off, and I mine payroll, purchases of goods and sen~ices, and production royalties and tax payments (presently totaling approximately $70 million/year) would not occur. Under a care and maintenance scenario, a small workforce would be maintained (less than 20) expenditures and payroll would be minimal and I production royalties and tax payments would not be provided to government entities. The decision of whether to close the mine or change to care and maintenance status would be dependent on prevailing market conditions and company financial considerations. Either mine closure or reduction _ to care and maintenance status would hate direct and indirect adverse economic and social impacts on local communities and in the region. Euura+mento/Ar1e.r.rmenl s+s/ten=